French paper defies Muslim protests, prints Muhammed drawings

A French weekly paper has published new cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammed in provocative poses, potentially adding fuel to anti-West anger among Muslims in Africa and Asia.

The cartoons follow a YouTube video posted last week, "The Innocence of Muslims," which led to riots in Egypt, Libya and Indonesia, among other places. In Egypt and Libya, Americans were attacked.

Charlie Hebdo, the French newspaper, has published depictions of Muhammed once before, last November. Its offices were set on fire afterward. Its publisher says it printed this week's drawings as an assertion of the importance of free expression.

Depictions of Muhammed are considered disrespectful and unholy by Muslims.